I have a few truck performance questions about the new gen. GM's. I'm not a total newbie, read my text below if you like. I've been without a truck too long, and it's time for another. I've had 4x4's, 2wd's, dont' want a Dodgem, and they don't make the Lightning's anymore...never liked the interior anyways. A buddy of mine has a Silverado SS, which I like(always liked the GM's), but I'm kind of a go-my-own-way kinda guy and would rather have a short-bed standard cab, manual tranny, leather. That's my rodeo. You can only get the 4.8 in that combo right? Seems silly considering the 5.3 is right there. Are guys putting down real numbers and performance with that 4.8? I'm not familiar with the new gen. motors...what parts are interchangeable? I've heard a couple guys eventually swapping a 6.0 in there...what's the issues with that...computer wise and what not too? What kind of performance could I expect with the usuals(tuner, intake tube, exhaust, etc), plus maybe a cam/head/intake combo? Any help is appreciated!!!!

A little about my background. I like everything that has to do with speed, power, that v-8 rumble, and power. I've always had trucks until the Toyota car that I drive now(nice car surely, but I miss a truck). Had a couple of chevys including a bad '78 blazer, but my latest was a '95 f150 4x4 short bed/std. cab. Had the 351 rebuilt to a mild 393 with steel crank, keith black pistons, crane roller cam, and rebuilt heads. Broke the diff. carrier in half, so put 4.10 richmond gears/auburn pro-ltd. slips in both ends, rebuilt transmission with 2100 stall and trans-go shift kit. Long distance girl+bad gas mileage...you get the idea. Also had a cbr600rr and a 400ex. Now I'm single, kinda liking it, and back in Feb, bought a new '05 Kaw. zx10r, but still driving my Toyota. Another truck is calling my name!

 

the reason you can only get a 4.8 w/ manual is because the MAX torque rating of the trans is the very same as the flywheel hp of the 4.8 5.3 has to much power to be warranteed

the only option for a manual and for it to hold with ANY mods is a t56 swap from a camaro or firebird and they dont just drop right in if you know what i mean but a few on here have done it - turbogibbs among others

however there are a few on here that have seen 12s on the 4.8 with boost

a 6.0l is the largest engine that drops right in plus you can bore and stroke them to a 6.6L-408 cu.in.

the 4.8 is a good little motor but most upgrade to 6.0 if they can

the auto is the most popular to go fast with a stall and built tranny they're pretty quick - parish8 is runnin a 10.08 1/4 mile on a 408 turbo nitrous built auto trans 4x4

all parts are interchangeable between the 4.8 5.3 6.0 and 5.7 LS1 car engine (except intake manifold and they will with some modification) and the LS6 and LS2

bluecajun is runnin a 12.5x 1/4 mile with a 5.3 rcsb without going inside the motor except for cam

there are tons of cams available for these motors and several versions of heads and intake manifolds are tricky with the truck motors.